The Coronation Bridge near Sevoke is often referred to as an architectural wonder. Due to the rocky terrains of the Eastern Himalayas and superfluous Teesta River flowing underneath, it was almost impossible to build a suspension bridge over this river that often flooded during the
Gopiballavpur, approximately 200 kilometres from Kolkata, is a small village on the banks of Subarnarekha River, which presently falls under Jhargram district of West Bengal. But it is not just any other village. Rather it is a mysterious historic temple town, which dates back to
This is a burial ground, where silence reigns and history speaks. Khosh Baag is the royal graveyard of Nawab Alivardi Khan and his family including grandson Siraj-ud-Daullah, his mother and wife, daughters, Siraj’s begum and many other significant kith and kin. It was built by
Tiffin Dara is a picturesque viewpoint in the lap of Kolbong forest range of Eastern Himalayas. It can be accessed via two soft trekking routes – one originating from Lava and the other from Rishop. Perched at an altitude of 8,000 feet above sea level,
At Jafarganj of Murshidabad, during early sixteenth century, a luxurious palace of the Najafi rulers was built by the patrons, which was later succeeded by Mir Jafar. The entrance of the royal palace was through a gigantic arched gate with numerous hidden chambers. They were
Perched on a cliff, the breath-taking view-point of Kurseong, gives a sweeping landscape of the surrounding mountain, hills, hamlets and slopes. Eagle’s Crag is the place to put your tired legs to rest and read a book, sitting at the quaint cafeteria that has a
The word ‘Terracotta’ always brings a visual of the burnt clay temples of Bishnupur. But I was really amazed to discover an antique terracotta palace, later tuned to a mosque, within Bengal’s lost capital of Gour, now Malda. Initially a planned fort city, belonging to
Kagyu Thek Chen Ling is an ancient Buddhist Monastery, located in the Eastern belt of Greater Himalayas, around 40 kilometres from Kalimpong. It serves as the gateway to Neora Valley National Park, the oldest bio-reserve of India. Though height is only 7,200 feet, yet the
Centuries ago, white lotuses bloomed on this serene lake water, which owes its name to the etymological history of the waterbody. Yes, white lotuses on the Lake of Pearls, Motijheel, still blooms. Motijheel is an artificially excavated lake on the southern banks of the Bhagirathi
Bengal is a land of architectural splendour and they are often found on the temple walls. One such unique temple is found in Hooghly district’s Bansberia. Erstwhile Zamindars of Dutta family had built an array of Hindu temples in this area, under the Mughal patronage,